A Moncton family wanted to give back, but without being able to volunteer their time due to COVID-19, they made a financial donation instead.
Five local organizations are splitting a $50,000 donation from the Martell family.
Dan Martell says, “This came from a frustration between my wife and I, just feeling like we wanted to do more. Obviously, for safety reasons, we couldn’t physically just go to the hospital and help on the front line workers and nurses, so we just decided to make a charitable donation.”
They received applications from 48 groups looking for assistance to alleviate needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Atlantic Wellness Centre, Harvest House Atlantic, the Humanity Project, Portage Atlantic and the student lunch bag program, received $10,000 each.
The funds will:
- ensure meals and household products are available for economically vulnerable people;
- support the wellbeing of our healthcare workforce;
- provide shelter, support, and mental health services for those in need.
“What is unique about this project, I guess, is that we did it in a public fashion, to shine some light on these organizations that needed support. We are trying to start what we call a love pandemic,” Martell says.
His hope is that this will inspire others to also give what they can.
“The ripple effect of this COVID-19 pandemic means less monetary support for local charities that are serving a vulnerable population,” he says.
The Martell’s decision to support organizations that focus on youth and helping people in their darkest times comes from Dan’s own life experiences. Having been a deeply troubled youth himself, Dan understands all too well what it’s like to struggle with anxiety, depression, and defiance. He recalls how one moment of support from a jail guard turned his life around.
“I made a personal commitment, just from the groundswell of people who have contributed to really push this over the edge and get a quarter of a million dollars committed. We need the positive stories now more than ever,” Martell says.
In response to this increased need, The Martell’s have created the “Giving Crew” to challenge other entrepreneurs to make an impact in their local communities. The Giving Crew’s objective is to inspire twenty additional $10,000 donations for local charities.
“Coronavirus-related business closures are having a devastating effect on so many,” Martell says. “People are losing jobs, businesses are shutting doors, we are stuck at home, and we are relying on our charitable sector more than ever,” he explains.
